PC meets Karuna in bid to iron out strains

Nov 13, 2012, 04.13AM ISTTNN[ Karthick S ]

CHENNAI: Union finance minister P Chidambaram met DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Monday evening at his residence here amid speculation about souring of relations between the Congress and its key partner. Though the leaders discussed various issues, Karunanidhi remained non-committal, party sources said.

The meeting, which lasted over 30 minutes, comes ahead of a crucial parliamentary session that begins on November 22. In recent days, relations between the two parties have been far from comfortable with the DMK even boycotting a feast hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday.

Though Chidambaram described his meeting with Karunanidhi as a courtesy call on the eve of Diwali, both DMK and Congress sources said the timing was important. Sources confirmed that Chidambaram reportedly sought the DMK's support during the forthcoming parliamentary session when a few important bills are expected to be introduced.

"Chidambaram discussed with Karunanidhi various problems that the Centre was facing with the Tamil Nadu government. Both also discussed various national and state-level issues," said a senior DMK leader, privy to discussion between the two leaders. Karunanidhi has been quite miffed with the Centre on various issues, the senior leader pointed out.